At Muslim Women Australia, we are committed to protecting your privacy and personal information. We understand the importance of maintaining the confidentiality and security of your personal data, and we are dedicated to ensuring that all personal information collected and used by our organization is treated with the utmost care and respect.
This Privacy Policy outlines the types of personal information we may collect, how we may use that information, and the steps we take to protect your personal data. We comply with the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and other relevant laws and regulations.
1. Muslim Women Australia commitment to privacy
(a) Muslim Women Australia is committed to managing personal information in accordance with the Australian Privacy Principles under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and in accordance with other applicable privacy laws.
(b) This document sets out our policies for managing your personal information and is referred to as our Privacy Policy.
(c) In this Privacy Policy, “we” and “us” refers to Muslim Women Australia and “you” refers to any individual about whom we collect personal information.
2. About Muslim Women Australia
(a) Muslim Women Australia is a Charity that supports victims of Family, domestic and sexual violence and those at risk of homelessness.
(b) Muslim Women Australia offers a complete range of services, including social, welfare, personal health & well-being support and holistic wrap around services for clients at risk of violence or homelessness.
3. What information does Muslim Women Australia collect about you?
3.1. Clients and prospective clients
(i) When you enquire about our services or when you become a client of Muslim Women Australia, a record is made which includes your personal information.
(ii) The type of personal information that we collect will vary depending on the circumstances of collection and the kind of service that you request from us, but will typically include:
(A) your name, e-mail, postal address and other contact details
(B) information about your employer or an organisation who you represent;
(C) your professional details; and
(D) any additional personal information you provide to us, or authorise us to collect, as part of your interaction with Muslim Women Australia
3.2. Prospective employees or applicants
(i) We collect personal information when recruiting personnel, such as your name, contact details, qualifications and work history. Generally, we will collect this information directly from you.
(ii) We may also collect personal information from third parties in ways which you would expect (for example, from recruitment agencies or referees you have nominated). Before offering you a position, we may collect additional details such as your tax file number and superannuation information and other information necessary to conduct background checks to determine your suitability for certain positions (for example, positions which involve working with children).
3.3. Other individuals
(i) Muslim Women Australia may collect personal information about other individuals who are not clients of Muslim Women Australia . This includes customers and members of the public who participate in events we are involved with, individual service providers and contractors to Muslim Women Australia , and other individuals who interact with Muslim Women Australia on a commercial basis. The kinds of personal information we collect will depend on the capacity in which you are dealing with Muslim Women Australia.
(ii) If you are participating in an event we are managing or delivering, we may take images or audio-visual recordings which identify you.
(iii) In limited circumstances, Muslim Women Australia may collect information which is considered sensitive information. For example, if you are injured at an event promoted or delivered by Muslim Women Australia we may collect health information about you in an emergency or otherwise with your consent.
(iv) We may collect personal information about children (for example, when children participate in events we are involved with). Where children do not have sufficient maturity and understanding to make decisions about their personal information, we will require their parents or guardians to make decisions on their behalf.
(v) You can always decline to give Muslim Women Australia any personal information we request, but that may mean we cannot provide you with some or all of the services you have requested. If you have any concerns about personal information we have requested, please let us know.
3.4. Visitors to our websites
The way in which we handle the personal information of visitors to our websites is discussed below.
4. How and why does Muslim Women Australia collect and use your personal information?
(a) Muslim Women Australia collects personal information reasonably necessary to carry out our business, to assess and manage our clients’ needs, and provide services. We may also collect information to fulfil administrative functions associated with these services, for example billing, entering into contracts with you or third parties and managing client relationships.
(b) The purposes for which Muslim Women Australia usually collects and uses personal information depends on the nature of your interaction with us, but may include:
(i) responding to requests for information and other general inquiries;
(ii) managing, planning, advertising and administering programs, events, competitions and performances;
(iii) researching, developing and expanding our facilities and services;
(iv) informing you of our activities, events, facilities and services;
(v) recruitment processes (including for volunteers, internships and work experience); and
(vi) responding to enquires and complaints.
(c) Muslim Women Australia generally collects personal information directly from you. We may collect and update your personal information over the phone, by email, over the internet or social media, or in person. We may also collect personal information about you from other sources, for example:
(i) our affiliated and related organisations; and
(ii) third party suppliers and contractors who assist us to operate our business.
(d) Muslim Women Australia also collects and uses personal information for community research purposes and to innovate our delivery of products and services.
5. How does Muslim Women Australia interact with you via the internet?
(a) You may visit our website (maw.org.au) without identifying yourself. If you identify yourself (for example, by providing your contact details in an enquiry), any personal information you provide to Muslim Women Australia will be managed in accordance with this Privacy Policy.
(b) Muslim Women Australia ‘s website uses cookies. A “cookie” is a small file stored on your computer’s browser, which assists in managing customised settings of the website and delivering content. We collect certain information such as your device type, browser type, IP address, pages you have accessed on our websites and on third-party websites. You are not identifiable from such information.
(c) You can use the settings in your browser to control how your browser deals with cookies. However, in doing so, you may be unable to access certain pages or content on our website.
(d) Muslim Women Australia ‘s website may contain links to third-party websites. Muslim Women Australia is not responsible for the content or privacy practices of websites that are linked to our website.
6. Can you deal with Muslim Women Australia anonymously?
Muslim Women Australia will provide individuals with the opportunity to remain anonymous or use a pseudonym in their dealings with us where it is lawful and practicable (for example, when making a general enquiry). Generally, it is not practicable for Muslim Women Australia to deal with individuals anonymously or pseudonymously on an ongoing basis. If we do not collect personal information about you, you may be unable to utilise our services or participate in our events, programs or activities we manage or deliver.
7. How does Muslim Women Australia hold information?
(a) Muslim Women Australia stores information in paper-based files or other electronic record keeping methods in secure databases (including trusted third party storage providers based in Australia or overseas). Personal information may be collected in paper-based documents and converted to electronic form for use or storage (with the original paper-based documents either archived or securely destroyed). We take reasonable steps to protect your personal information from misuse, interference and loss and from unauthorised access, modification or disclosure.
(b) Muslim Women Australia maintains physical security over paper and electronic data stores, such as through locks and security systems at our premises. We also maintain computer and network security, for example, we use firewalls (security measures for the internet) and other security systems such as user identifiers and passwords to control access to our computer systems.
(c) Our websites do not necessarily use encryption or other technologies to ensure the secure transmission of information via the internet. Users of our websites are encouraged to exercise care in sending personal information via the internet.
(d) We take steps to destroy or de-identify information that we no longer require.
8. Does Muslim Women Australia use or disclose your personal information for direct marketing?
(a) Muslim Women Australia may use or disclose your personal information for the purpose of informing you about our services, upcoming promotions and events, or other opportunities that may interest you. If you do not want to receive direct communications, you can opt-out at any time by contacting us using the contact details below.
(b) If you opt-out of receiving marketing material from us, Muslim Women Australia may still contact you in relation to its ongoing relationship with you.
9. How does Muslim Women Australia use and disclose personal information?
9.1. For clients
The purposes for which we may use and disclose your personal information will depend on the services we are providing you. For example, if you have engaged us to deliver a service, we may disclose information about you to service providers where this is relevant to our services.
9.2. For customers and participants
If you are a customer or participant in an event, we may disclose your personal information to our clients and venues where this is reasonably necessary for, and relevant to, the delivery of the event. We may use images or audio-visual recordings which identify you for promotional purposes where you would reasonably expect this to occur.
9.3. Disclosure to contractors and other service providers
(i) Muslim Women Australia may disclose information to third parties we engage in order to provide our services, including contractors and service providers used for data processing, data analysis, customer satisfaction surveys, information technology services and support, website maintenance/development, printing, archiving, mail-outs, and market research.
(ii) Personal information may also be shared between related and affiliated organisations of Muslim Women Australia , located in Australia or overseas.
(iii) Third parties to whom we have disclosed your personal information may contact you directly to let you know they have collected your personal information and to give you information about their privacy policies.
9.4. Use and disclosure for administration and management
Muslim Women Australia will also use and disclose personal information for a range of administrative, management and operational purposes. This includes:
(i) administering billing and payments and debt recovery;
(ii) planning, managing, monitoring and evaluating our services;
(iii) quality improvement activities;
(iv) statistical analysis and reporting;
(v) training staff, contractors and other workers;
(vi) risk management and management of legal liabilities and claims (for example, liaising with insurers and legal representatives);
(vii) responding to enquiries and complaints regarding our services;
(viii) obtaining advice from consultants and other professional advisers; and
(ix) responding to subpoenas and other legal orders and obligations
9.5. Other uses and disclosures
We may use and disclose your personal information for other purposes explained at the time of collection or otherwise as set out in this Privacy Policy.
10. How can you access or seek correction of your personal information?
(a) You are entitled to access your personal information held by Muslim Women Australia on request. To request access to your personal information please contact our privacy officer using the contact details set out below.
(b) You will not be charged for making a request to access your personal information but you may be charged for the reasonable time and expense incurred in compiling information in response to your request.
(c) We will take reasonable steps to ensure that the personal information we collect, use or disclose is accurate, complete and up-to-date. You can help us to do this by letting us know if you notice errors or discrepancies in information we hold about you and letting us know if your personal details change.
(d) However, if you consider any personal information we hold about you is inaccurate, out-of-date, incomplete, irrelevant or misleading you are entitled to request correction of the information. After receiving a request from you, we will take reasonable steps to correct your information.
(e) We may decline your request to access or correct your personal information in certain circumstances in accordance with the Australian Privacy Principles. If we do refuse your request, we will provide you with a reason for our decision and, in the case of a request for correction, we will include a statement with your personal information about the requested correction.
11. What should you do if you have a complaint about the handling of your personal information?
(a) You may contact Muslim Women Australia at any time if you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or about the way in which your personal information has been handled.
(b) You may make a complaint about privacy to the privacy officer at the contact details set out below.
(c) The privacy officer will first consider your complaint to determine whether there are simple or immediate steps which can be taken to resolve the complaint. We will generally respond to your complaint within a week.
(d) If your complaint requires more detailed consideration or investigation, we will acknowledge receipt of your complaint within a week and endeavour to complete our investigation into your complaint promptly. We may ask you to provide further information about your complaint and the outcome you are seeking. We will then typically gather relevant facts, locate and review relevant documents and speak with individuals involved.
(e) In most cases, we will investigate and respond to a complaint within 30 days of receipt of the complaint. If the matter is more complex or our investigation may take longer, we will let you know.
(f) If you are not satisfied with our response to your complaint, or you consider that Muslim Women Australia may have breached the Australian Privacy Principles or the Privacy Act, a complaint may be made to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner. The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner can be contacted by telephone on 1300 363 992 or by using the contact details on the website (www.oaic.gov.au).
12. How changes are made to this Privacy Policy?
Muslim Women Australia may amend this Privacy Policy from time to time, with or without notice to you. We recommend that you visit our website (mwa.org.au) regularly to keep up to date with any changes.
13. How can you contact Muslim Women Australia ?
The contact details for Muslim Women Australia are:
47 Wangee Road, Lakemba, New South Wales, 2195 or info@mwa.org.au
All matters relating to the access, use or disclosure of personal information held by Muslim Women Australia, email requests to privacy@mwa.org.au.
Any matters relating to the concern and/or safety of children that Muslim Women Australia should be made aware of, written details of the child/ren and situation should be emailed to childsafety@mwa.org.au.
Clients are the focus of Linking Hearts. As service users, clients and staff also have responsibilities.
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We, at Muslim Women Australia, acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the Traditional owners of the land on which we stand, and pay our respect to Elders past, present and emerging. We recognise the rich cultural heritage of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and the importance of preserving their connection to the land.
We also recognise the indigenous people of Palestine. The history and struggles of the Palestinian people are deeply rooted, and we acknowledge their enduring connection to their land, as well as their ongoing pursuit of justice and self-determination.
In recognising both the traditional custodians of this land, Australia, and the indigenous people of Palestine, we acknowledge the importance of understanding and respecting the histories, cultures, and rights of all indigenous communities. It is a reminder that we should strive for a world where diversity is celebrated, and the rights of all indigenous peoples are upheld.
